Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 8- Christmas

The year was going by very fast and Lily couldn't believe it was already nearing Christmas. She looked out at the snow covered grounds of Hogwarts, watching as students were walking around in the snow and getting ready for their Christmas holiday.

"I owled my parents," Hermione said to Ron and Harry. "They said I could stay at Hogwarts for Christmas with you guys. They didn't sound all that happy about it but their going skiing over the holidays and that's not really my thing." "Cool." Harry and Ron said in unison. They were sitting in the Great Hall eating breakfast. It was the day that the Hogwarts Express was going back to Kings Cross and most of the students were already packed up and ready to go.

Lily was glad that Hermione was staying for Christmas. If she was going back with her parents, she would have to leave Harry over the holidays. "Did the Dursley's send you anything?" Ron asked Harry. "Just the usual menial gift. It's a five pence piece," Harry said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a shiny coin. "Is that muggle money?" Ron asked astonished. "Yeah you can have it," Harry said handing it to Ron. "Cool, thanks," Ron said staring intently at it.

After breakfast, Harry, Ron, and Hermione went up to the nearly empty Gryffindor common room, Lily closely following. Harry and Ron spent the rest of the day playing chess and Hermione finished a book she had gotten from the library.

The next day was Christmas. Lily woke up quite early and she didn't know why. She usually slept until 8:00 and it was now 6:30. She got up from her plushy bed at the end of Hermione's bed and stretched. Being rather bored of just sitting around, she decided to go into the boy's dorms and see if they were awake yet, particularly Harry.

When she got there the room was dark and obviously no one was awake yet. She made her way over to Harry's bed and noticed how even more handsome he looked without glasses. She looked over at his bed side stand and saw a picture of her and James. She remembered taking that picture so well even though it was so many years ago. If she was able to cry she would have but it just seemed as if she was taken back in time to that day…

It was very cold out. She was walking beside James and it seemed as if the warmest part of her was her hand which he held. They were going to visit Lily's parents in London.

"I told you we should have taken a taxi over there," James said smirking.

"I know, I didn't think it was going to be this cold," Lily said.

Sirius was trailing behind them, lost in thought as usual. His pockets were bulging with the three things he always took with him: His wand, his wallet, and his camera. Sirius was a part-time reporter for the Daily Prophet and always had to have these things with him.

"I've got some good stories for the paper." Sirius said catching up with them. "Well that's good. Maybe they'll finally promote you." James said. "I want to develop this film to turn it in to my boss but there's one more picture left on here. You two, go stand over there." Sirius said. There was a quick flash as Sirius took the picture. "That'll be a keeper," he said.

As they kept walking, Lily thought of the future. She would just have to hope for the best and keep holding on.

She knew the past was gone and there was no going back to it except for in memories but time always seemed to repeat in her head as if she was constantly near a Dementor. Whether they were good or bad memories, they were still there clear as glass.

The sound of ruffling sheets brought her out of her thoughts. She looked over to see Ron rolling out of bed immediately stumbling over to wake Harry up.

"Harry!" he said sleepily. "Wake up, it's Christmas!" Harry slowly pushed himself out of bed. Soon, Hermione came up and they started opening their presents from each other. They got an assortment of things like books and candy and sweaters from Mrs. Weasly but the most coveted gift was a Firebolt. The broomstick, the best one available, was given to Harry but no one could figure out who it was from.

"Harry if that was from Sirius Black who knows what kind of evil jinxes it has on it! It would be an easy way for him to kill you without even getting near you! And besides, no one would have any proof that he did it!" Hermione said. "Don't be ridiculous, Hermione." Ron said blowing the idea off.

After lunch, they all decided to go to Hagrid's to tell him the Firebolt. Lily really didn't like getting all matted in the snow but decided to follow them anyway. They trudged through the snow and knocked on his large wooden door to his rather small hut. They heard Fang, Hagrid's dog, barking before he came to the door. He invited them in and they told him about the broom.

"Well that's quite a gift Harry." Hagrid said. "I still think it's very strange that someone would give that to you and not even sign their name." Hermione said indignantly. Hagrid offered them some tea and cookies but they told him they just had breakfast knowing that Hagrid's cookies could break your teeth. He really wasn't a good cook.

It had been an hour and they said they should head back to the castle. When arriving in the quiet of the Entrance Hall, Hermione said she wanted to go to the library. So Harry and Ron went up to the Gryffindor house by themselves. It was emptyandHarry and Ron had nothing to do and decided to play chess for the rest of the day and wait for Hermione to come back.

Thanks to all who read and review! I hope to make the next chapter more interesting. I also changed my pen name just to let you know.